New legislation, the Health and Safety Offences Act 2008, which will increase penalties and provide courts with greater sentencing powers for those who flout health and safety legislation has been welcomed by DWP Ministers.
The Act raises the maximum penalties that can be imposed for breaching health and safety regulations in the lower courts from £5,000 to £20,000 and the range of offences for which an individual can be imprisoned has also been broadened.
"It is generally accepted that the level of fines for some health and safety offences is too low. These changes will ensure that sentences can now be more easily set at a level to deter businesses that do not take their health and safety management responsibilities seriously and further encourage employers and others to comply with the law.
"Furthermore, by extending the £20,000 maximum fine to the lower courts and making imprisonment an option, more cases will be resolved in the lower courts and justice will be faster, less costly and more efficient.
"Jail sentences for particularly blameworthy health and safety offences committed by individuals, can now be imposed reflecting the severity of such crimes, whereas there were more limited options in the past".
OK, so what has this got to do with Eclipse-fm®?
Simply, FM in the NHS is a critical function, not just to the Health and Safety of employees, though that is a serious enough consideration, but also to our patients who may be treated with complex, and if not properly maintained, life threatening equipment! In a climate of heightened health and safety awareness, and increasing legislative vigilance as illustrated by the above, it becomes ever more vital that asset management is both done properly, but can be proven to have been done properly.
- Has it been maintained according to the maintenance schedule
- Has it been maintained by the appropriately qualified staff?
- Is it within its operational life xpan?
- Have we had any problems with this kind of equipment
- Has anyone else had problems - notified via the Critical notices system?
Used to its full, we believe that Eclipse-fm® will build a comprehensive record of correct FM practice, one that will not only protect you and your staff from any Health and Safety issues arising from asset maintenance, but might even reduce your insurance premiums in this area.
As well as ensuring that your assets are always well maintained, and a credit to the efforts of your staff, and most importantly, maximising patient safety.
